What is UberXL?

To qualify for UberXL rideshare requests, drivers must own a vehicle that is capable of transporting 6 or more people. Being able to escort a group of people comfortably in this manner earns about $1.68 per mile and $0.26 per minute, on top of the initial $2.15 fee.

Drivers interested in taking advantage of this opportunity need to be aware of Uber’s vehicle age restriction. Vehicle age varies by city. In the most lenient cities, Uber requires vehicles to be 15 model years old or newer.

The requirements may be a stretch for your vehicle, but trust us, it’s worth it in the end when you have more money in your pocket.

Things to Keep in Mind When Searching for UberXL Cars

When evaluating the best car for UberXL, there’s a few things you should keep in mind.

First, it’s important to look at both new and used cars, and the difference in price and return on investment. This is one one of the most important factors you should consider.

Second, you’ll need to figure out how much gas your vehicle will burn, and how much extra that will cost you.

And third, it’s very important to knowing how long you’ll have the vehicle, and how long you’ll be driving for Uber.

Let’s break those factors down into more detail.

Research New vs. Used

When shopping around for a vehicle that can seat six, you may be tempted to simply buy a brand-new ride straight off the lot.

After all, the newer the vehicle the longer you can use it without having to worry about any future age restrictions that may be added. Plus, the extra perks included in a brand new vehicle may increase your tips or even qualify you for other specialty rideshare requests.

Despite these positive reasons, you may want to go with a used vehicle that has aged a couple of years.

Brand new vehicles that have never been driven tend to have a hefty price tag attached to them. Paying off this expense may cut pretty deep into your profit margin, making the purchase not worth your time.

By going with a 1-2 year-old vehicle instead, drivers can cut down on a lot of the excess bulk associated with buying a ‘straight from the factory’ vehicle. Another perk of buying a used car: the vehicle’s flaws have probably been identified.

A good dealership will address any recalls or other complications before putting the vehicle up for sale.

Evaluate Vehicle Mileage

Rideshare drivers should also check out how long a vehicle takes to drain a tank of fuel.

Gas is one of the largest expenses for Uber drivers. If you need to fill up multiple times while working, chances are you are not making enough money.

Ask the dealership what kind of gas mileage the vehicle gets. Bear in mind that the higher the mileage, the better the deal. If you are looking at two different vehicles that get under 18 mpg, keep shopping.

Analyze Additional Uber Vehicle Types

If you can obtain a vehicle that qualifies for multiple specialty groups it may be in your wallet’s best interest to do so. Take the time to estimate how much the monthly payment is going to be and compare that number to how much additional money you can earn by accepting specialty ride requests.

Vehicles that qualify for a combination of UberXL, UberSUV, or UberSELECT may be able to earn more than enough to cover all monthly expenses, car payment included.

Consider Vehicle Lifespan

Not all vehicles are created equal. There are plenty of rides out there that have known issues that will need to be addressed every so often. Be aware of these flaws before you purchase the vehicle.

Some parts are inexpensive enough to make the purchase worth it, whereas other underlying issues that set you back a couple grand are not.

Our Top 9 Picks for UberXL Vehicles

2013 Toyota Sienna

One of our older picks is the 2013 Toyota Sienna. Having aged a few years since its release, this minivan may be purchased for about $20,000. There are several configurations for the 2013 Sienna and each one offers different features as well as performance.

On average, this vehicle gets about 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. Thus far in our list, the 2013 Toyota Sienna has earned the highest Kelley Blue Book rating of 8.3 out of 10. Although this vehicle may be perfect for driving passengers with extra cargo, the gas tank only holds 20 gallons.

2014 Honda Odyssey

Another minivan worth looking into is the 2014 Honda Odyssey. This vehicle may run you close to $21,000 and offers riders and passengers alike all of the quality features that Honda is known for.

Take Ridesharing To New Heights.

When cruising around the city in the Honda Odyssey, anticipate getting 19 mpg. Out on the highway, that rate jumps to 28 mpg. The 2014 Honda Odyssey received an impressive 8.5 out of 10 Kelley Blue Book rating in addition to being ranked the 3rd best minivan by US News & World Report.

The 2014 Honda Odyssey is available in multiple configurations with the price averaging accordingly. Bear in mind that the brake pedal is known to vibrate excessively.

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander

Next up is the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander. This compact SUV is moderately priced at $25,000, seats seven, and qualifies for UberSELECT.

Rideshare drivers will adore the efficient gas mileage rate too. In the city, the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander gets 25 mpg, and 31 on the highway. Combine these stats with the 6.3 out of 10 Kelley Blue Book rating, and it’s easy to see why this vehicle made our list.

The Outlander comes equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) and can venture off-road, however, this vehicle may be difficult to find unless you have a Mitsubishi dealership nearby.

2015 Dodge Grand Caravan

To procure a minivan at a lower price, try to find a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. Buying this van will run you about $18,000, which may mean lower monthly payments and better profits after purchase.

The downside to the price is the gas mileage. It’s lower than the other vehicles we’ve mentioned thus far, with 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

Relative to the rest of the list, the Grand Caravan receives a low rating from Kelley Blue Book of 7 out of 10. Rideshare drivers may enjoy being able to haul hefty loads in this minivan with ease, however, the noisy cabin may reduce tip amounts. We recommend this vehicle for those working on a small budget, as well as those only looking to drive for Uber part-time.

2016 Toyota Highlander

For those who want to stick with driving an SUV, consider the 2016 Toyota Highlander. Drivers can pick this vehicle up for around $25,000. The monthly payment expense generated by the price tag may balance out when the gas mileage is factored in.

The Highlander gets about 20 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway. Add in a Kelley Blue Book rating of 8.5 out of 10 and it’s easy to see why this vehicle made our list.

This luxury-grade SUV can comfortably seat seven and may improve your tips overall. Keep in mind that if you want to seat eight you will have to find a Highlander made with the normal configuration.

2017 Ford Explorer

A roomy UberXL SUV you should check out is the 2017 Ford Explorer. Packed with high-tech features and a quiet, comfortable cabin, it’s easy to see why the sticker price is about $30,000.

While cruising, anticipate depleting the 18.6-gallon gas tank about every 19 miles in the city and 27 miles on the highway. Ford opted to go for plenty of cargo space behind the third row, which reduced legroom a bit. Overall, the Kelley Blue Book rating is a 7.5 out of 10.

2016 Lincoln MKT

Loaded with the standard as well as high-tech features, the 2016 Lincoln MKT Wagon can’t be ignored. The Wagon boasts an impressive 8.8 out of 10 Kelley Blue Book rating and although it’s a younger model, the price tag is about $28,000.

During your regular UberXL routine, expect to get about 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Passengers will love the quiet cabin environment, however, you may not like the limited rear visibility.

2015 Land Rover LR3

The final UberXL vehicle on our list is the 2015 Land Rover LR3. For passengers who need to go off-road to a bond fire or beach party location, this vehicle can suit their needs and improve your tip amounts respectively.

If you can obtain a 2015 Land Rover LR3, you will be rewarded with an average 20 mpg while cruising the city streets, and 26 mpg on the highway.

The luxurious 2015 Land Rover LR3 can weather most stormy conditions, however, acceleration is a bit on the slow side. The LR3’s Kelley Blue Book rating is about a 7 out of 10 and the price tag is around $40,000.

2016 Cadillac Escalade

The 2016 Cadillac Escalade is the highest-end vehicle on our list. This beauty seats up to eight, meets the UberXL age requirements, and if you get one in black you may qualify for UberSELECT status or above.

Adding these high-class ride requests to your workflow may be very profitable. Purchasing the 2016 Cadillac Escalade will set you back about $75,000. Bear in mind that monthly payments vary. The gas mileage for this SUV is 15 in the city and 22 on the highway.

Although the mpg is not very attractive, the Kelley Blue Book rating is 6.3 out of 10. As a product of Cadillac, the 2016 Escalade is a classy vehicle, that offers a quiet ride, however, the size of this SUV make maneuvering hard.

Ready to start working as a rideshare driver? Maximize your earnings by checking out our exclusive Uber driver invite codes!

The Best Places to Find UberXL Riders

To capitalize on your new investment, stay in areas where people are likely to be in a big group.

Airports, for example, are a great place to pick up groups of friends or family members who have just returned from a vacation. People will often rent an UberXL to or from the airport so they can all ride in the vehicle together and save on parking.

Another prime area to consider is popular bars. Friends celebrating or enjoying a night on the town will often procure an UberXL in order to keep the group together for the evening.

Other Common UberXL Questions

What are the UberXL Vehicle Requirements?

It can be tough to determine which vehicles are eligible for Uber’s specialty rides. For UberXL, the main questions to ask are whether the vehicle can seat 6 passengers (excluding the driver) and whether the vehicle is a 15 years old or newer.

UberXL rides do not have to be considered a luxury brand. UberXL drivers are also not required to dress up. For higher-end specialty ride status, this is a requirement.

What is the Difference Between UberXL and UberSUV?

The biggest differences between UberXL and UberSUV are the price point and luxury experience. UberSUV requires drivers to dress up and drive luxury vehicles such as the Cadillac Escalade. UberXL drivers are not required to dress up and have more flexibility in vehicle options.

What’s your take on the best cars for UberXL drivers? Did we miss any cars that you think should have been included on our list? Let us know in the comments below!

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.